Well clean-out tool



Nov. 17, 1936. J, s TAYLOR 2,061,489

WELL CLEAN-OUT TOOL Filed April 20, 1936 INVENTO'R Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention relates to clean-out tools for oil wells and the like, and has for its objectthe provision of a device of this character comprising a cutting tool adapted to ldislodge debris in the bottom vof the well as the tool is reciprocated, and an upwardly movable ap valve swinging transversely through. the cutting end and past which dislodged material moves during the rey ciprocation of the tool and is trapped in avchamber in the lower end of the tool.

A further object is to provide an inwardly and outwardly movable stop member carried by one side of the tool casing in the path of the free end of the flap valve and'forming means for limiting the downward movement of the flap valve and` also means whereby thefiap valve can be released upon removal of the tool from the well for discharging debris previously trapped in the chamber of the tool.

A further object is to form the cutter tool V- shaped in cross section vertically, and extending across the axis of the tool and to provide said V-shaped cutter with a transverse chamber` extending entirely through the same and through which the ap valve swings to open or closed position.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing, described and claimed, it

f being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed withoutA departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bit end of the tool. A

Figure 2 is a detail perspective sectional view through the bit end of the tool, showing the flap valve in closed position.

Figure 3 is a vertical 'transverse sectional view through the bit end of the tool, showing the flap valve in open position, for allowing entrance of debris into the bit chamber.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the flap valve in its downward open position for allowing dscharge of trapped debris from the chamber of the bit.

Referring to the drawing the numeral I designates the lower end of the reciprocating casing of the clean out tool, which is reciprocated in any desired manner. The lower end I of the tool is provided with aA chamber 2, into which dislodged material is sucked or forced as it is dislodged by the tool cutting edge 3, which is prefmounted, on a transverse swings transversely of the tool through the space (Cl. 16S-19) cutting edge 3 comprises a triangular portion 4, the ends of which merge into upwardly ared arms 5, the outer sides of which are of the same curvature 'as the periphery of the tool end I,

as shown in Figure 1. It will be noted that by providing the V-shaped cutting edge and adjacent parts the cutting 4strain is distributed peripherally on the wall of the tool I, therefore the cutter is rigidly braced at all times.

The lower end of the tool I is braced interiorly by an annular lflange 6, and one side thereof at a. right angle to the cutting edge 3 is provided with a recess 'I in which is pivotally pin 3, the boss 9 of the weighted flap valve I0. The flap valve I0 is relatively thick as shown so that it will easily fall by gravity and at the same time its convexed upper side II will engage the wall of the chamber 20 2 and prevent the ap valve from assuming a position beyond a vertical where it' will not fall by gravity. During the reclprocation of the tool I for a debris dislodging operation by the cutting edge 3, the ap valve I0 opens on the downward 25 movement of the tool and the dislodged debris will pass upwardly into the chamber 2, in which it istrapped on the upward strokes by the flap valve I0, which will move downwardly to a horizontal'position until its free end Illa engages the inwardly and outwardly movable stop screw I2.

The stop screw I2 is threaded through the downwardly extending lug I3 carried by one side of the casing I opposite the hinging point of the ap valve I0. When itv is desired to discharge the accumulated material from the chamber 2, the tool is raised in the usual manner `from the well, and the stop screw I2 i's backed outwardly thereby allowing the free end Illa of the flap valve III to swing downwardly and assume the position shown in Figure 4, and at which time the debris within the chamber 2 will fall by gravity from thetool. It will be noted that the flap valve Ill, in its swinging movement,

between the arms 5 and above the cutting element, therefore it can be seen that the cutting element can be located across the axis of the tool for distributing the strain around the tool during the reciprocation of the tool within the well. 50 After the discharging operation the flap valve I0 is againv placed in operative position, as shown in Figure 2 and the stop screw I2, screwed in-` wardly to cooperative position with the flap valve for again trapping dislodged debris and the tool 55 is again lowered into the well and reciprocated for further cleaning operation. Although the device has been described in connection with a reciprocating tool for forcing the debris into the chamber 2, it is to be understood that applicant does not limit himself in this particular as the debris may be sucked into the chamber 2 by any well known method.

From the above it will be seen that a wall cleanout toolis provided which is simple in construction and one wherein dislodged material will be trapped in a. chamber of the tool by a ap valve and when said flap valve is in discharging l' position as shown in Figure 4, it will not interfere with the discharge of trapped material from the chamber of the tool.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is: Y l

1. 'I'he combination with the lower end of a chambered well clean-out tool, of a flap -valve carried by said lower end of the tool and hinged to one side thereof and swingable inwardly and outwardly of the tool, an inwardly and outwardly movable stop screw carried by the clean-out tool in the path of the free end of the iiap valve, said screw forming means projecting inwardly of the tool for limiting the downward movement of the free end of the ap valve during a debris trapping operation and movable outwardly to provide for extreme downward movement of the flap valve during a debris discharging operation.

2. The combination with the lower end of a well clean-out tool, of a V-'shaped cutting edge carried by the lower end of the clean-out tool in spaced relation thereto and radial in relation to the axis of the tool, upwardly extending ared arms carried by the cutting tool ends and connectingthe ends, thereof to opposite sides of the clean-out tooLand atrapping nap valve hingedly connected to one side ofthe clean-out tool and positioned whereby .its free end will swing upwardly and downwardlyl between the arms connecting theA cutting element to the clean-out tool and above the cutting element.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 including an inwardly and outwardly movable stop screw carried by one. side of the tool and in the path of the free end of the iiap valve.

4. A device as set forthinclaim 2 including a downwardly extending lug carriedby one side of the lower end of the clean-out tool, a threaded stop screw threaded through said lug, said stop screw being in the path of the free end of the flap valve.

JAMES S. TAYLOR. 

